Even the Athletes’ Watches Are Olympics-Tier at Paris 2024
We will be covering all of the best sports watch moments during the Paris 2024 Olympics. This article will be updated on a weekly basis.
Sports watches? At the Paris 2024 Olympics? It's not the most revolutionary thing, but it doesn't make the watch moments of this year's games any less impressive.
For the uninitiated, sports watches are often defined as, "watches in action", designed to be robust, functional, and durable in rough conditions. The anatomy of a sports watch may include a few hundred meters of water resistance, shock resistance, a functional bezel, heavy-wearing materials across the case and bracelet, useful complications, etc.
But, don't get it twisted, precious metal, and gems are not out of the question when it comes to luxury sports watches.
Would I take my Patek Phillipe Nautilus 7118/1200A swimming in the Seine? Absolutely not. But wearing it to the Paris 2024 Opening Olympic ceremony would be a must.
With everyone's eyes on The City of Lights for the world's biggest sports event, the best of the best when it comes to sports watches have taken the stage for this momentous occasion. Here are some of my favorite watch moments from the Olympics.
Scroll to see the best sports watch moments at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce - Richard Mille Quartz TPT RM 07-04
Editor's Notes: Seeing RMs on athletes from my home country during the Olympics has become one of my favorite pastimes, with Usain Bolt rocking a prototype Richard Mille in the 2012 Olympics being one of my all-time favorite watch moments. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's RM 07-04 from Paris 2024 might overtake that moment.
The Jamaican national's watch is only 36 grams in weight thanks to its grade 5 titanium with black PVD, features a skeletonized automatic-winding movement with hours, minutes, and function selectors, and is in one of my favorite colorways from the brand. As you've learned, Richard Mille creates watches that perform at the highest level, so seeing an Olympian like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce rock it effortlessy does make sense.
Tommy Paul - De Bethune DB28xs 'Starry Seas'
Editor's Notes: I have rarely seen a De Bethune in the wild. But don't let that detract you from adding the brand to your watch grail list. The independent Swiss watchmaker creates a watch that perfectly balances classic performative horology with forward-thinking designs.
Dubbed the Starry Seas, the DB28xs seen on Tommy Paul has one of the most incredible dials you can get your hands on, featuring a Blued Titanium Dial with white gold stars to create its serene aquatic effect - the first of its kind. This watch will set you back $90,000 if you want one for your next tennis match.
Novak Djokovic - Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 Ceramic Blue
Editor's Notes: The trendy Hublot hate is never going to deter me from appreciating a good ceramic Big Bang watch. Another favorite from Paris 2024 is the Hublot Big Bang, which comes with the brand's insanely powerful MECA-10 movement and, of course, a blue-dyed ceramic case. Ceramic is extremely hard to work with, and even more so, Hublot was one of the first brands to make the case material so popular. Though I will always pick black ceramic over blue; I could warm up to this colorway if it was on my wrist.
Matthew Ebden - NORQAIN Wild ONE Skeleton Turquoise
Editor's Notes: NORQAIN Wild ONE series is another group of watches that should be on your radar. Thanks to the brand's own Norteq carbon fiber case, the Swiss-made timepiece is extremely light on the wrist, which is perfect if you are going for gold at the Olympics. Other notable features include its 200-meter waterproofing and automatic caliber NN08S, a COSC-certified movement.
Carlos Alcaraz - Rolex Day-Date 40
Editor's Notes: Rolex is still the go-to watch sports watch. No matter if you are going to an event that calls for a suit or, like Carlos Alcaraz here, winning an event at the Olympics, you really can't go wrong with a Rolex.
This iteration specifically has a bright black dial complete with baguette-cut diamonds and comes in Rolex's famous 18ct yellow gold case and presidential bracelet. It's a classic piece that seemingly grows in hype each year, but rightfully so. No matter how often I catch this watch on someone's wrist, the finishing on the watch blows me the way.
Donna Vekić - F.P. Journe Élégante Titanium with Diamonds
Editor's Notes: F.P. Journe's Élégante series of watches has one of the most beautiful case shapes in the industry. Of course, when people talk about an Élégante, they might bring up the electro-mechanical movement that features a standby mode and its ability to set itself to the correct time once "powered back on." But I am obsessed with the case of the Élégante.
It wears well on the wrist (not too big or small), looks even better gem-set, and rubber straps work well with its hybrid square cushion case. It's another top pick for one of my favorite watches spotted this year.
Simon Delestre - Hermés H08
Editor's Notes: The H08 is one of those watches that embodies the term underrated, and I get it. Hermés is a brand more closely connected to old-money leather goods than horology. But, see exhibit A.
Designed by Philippe Delhotal, Creative Director of Hermès Horloger, the H08 highlights the impressive strides the French luxury house is making in the world of watchmaking. It's one of those sports watches that mixes all-terrain ruggedness with just the right amount of luxe, thanks to its rose gold and DLC cushion case. Its sighting makes sense during Simon Delestre's equestrian performance at the Olympics, but I hope to see more of these on the streets in the coming years.
LeBron James - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 'Extra-Thin' Tourbillon
Editor's Notes: I knew King James wasn't going to show up to the Opening Ceremony with just any watch. LeBron is an underrated watch collector, specializing in rare and highly coveted Audemars. During the historic Opening Ceremony, while carrying the American flag LeBron sported an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon 26521OR.SS.1220OR.01. Limited to just a handful of pieces, the watch comes in rose gold and is adorned with 32 perfectly cut blue sapphires. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on one of these prepare to spend upwards of $450k for this AP.
It's a watch fit for King James and a historic moment on the Seine.
Angel Reese - Rolex Lady Datejust
Editor's Notes: At the Prelude to the Olympics' LV party the WNBA legend in the making, Angel Reese showed up with THE sports watch, her two-tone Rolex Datejust in Oystersteel, yellow gold, and a diamond bezel. The Datejust has a rich history both in horology and in sports, playing a large role in how luxury sports watches are made and marketed towards athletes. It's the type of watch you can play a three-on-three pick-up game in and confidently rock to an Olympic afterparty.
Pharrell Williams - Richard Mille RM Up-01 Ferrari
Editor's Notes: Honestly, I would have loved to see Pharrell's Richard Mille RM 52-05 with its "Man From Another Planet", dial make an appearance at Paris 2024. But, I'll take Richard Mille's Ferrari watch ...I guess.
One of the most polarizing watches from Richard Mille, the Ferrari collab broke the record for being one of the world's thinnest watches, back in 2022, coming in at 1.75mm — an undoubtedly insane feat of engineering. For extra durability, the RM Up-01 is made from Grade 5 titanium and can allegedly withstand the shock of up to 5,000G. I will say, Pharrell styling the watch with the Olympic torch in hand, with his sports ensemble, and tinted glasses, did make me like the watch a bit more.
Limited to 150 pieces, the Richard Mille RM Up-01 Ferrari will cost you around $2,000,000 if you want to own it.
Spike Lee - Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Oysterflex
Editor's Notes: One of Spike Lee's go-to timepieces, the famed director showed up with one of the most highly sought-after watches in the watch world, the Rolex Daytona. The variant he is rocking on his wrist, reference number 116518LN, features an 18k gold case, champagne dial, Oysterflex rubber strapper, and that iconic black ceramic bezel.
Maybe, I am glazing, but I still don't understand the hype around the Daytona, but I can't deny they are beautiful watches and are worth collecting. This Daytona costs $33,500.
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Breitling Chronomat B01 (Pièce Unique)
Editor's Notes: Of course, my favorite watch to come from the Giannis Antetokounmpo Breitling collab is the watch that I will probably never get my hands on. The Breitling Chronomat B01 seen on Antetokounmpo is a piece unique (swipe on the Insta post), meaning there is only one in the world, and that watch belongs to the pro baller. The specialized Chronomat B01 comes in rose gold with a green dial that is a nod to Antetokounmpo’s team, the Milwaukee Bucks.
The timepiece also includes golden Arabic numerals across its dial and a basketball emblem cleverly incorporated into the chronograph counter. You may not be able to add this watch to your rotation but the recent collab has a more accessible Chronomat B01 currently available for $42,000.
Serena Willams - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked
Editor's Notes: Every time Serena Williams pops out I know she is going to show us something special on her wrist. The greatest tennis player of all time showed up to the Paris 2024 Olympics wearing the brand new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked in stainless steel with a pink-gold-toned open-worked movement and matching inner bezel. The watch almost matched the Olympic torch that Williams carried at the ceremony.
Another favorite release from this year, its appearance along with all the other APs we've spotted so far is a reminder that this has been Audemars' biggest year yet. This Double Balance Wheel Openworked will cost you $80,000.
Shaun White - OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch 18k Moonshine Gold Green Dial
Editor's Notes: Seeing an Omega Speedmaster in the wild always warms my heart, especially in a precious metal. The "First Watch on the Moon" is a grail for those of us who have ever dreamt of making our way to the lunar surface. But, I digress.
This updated version of the Speedmaster Moonwatch seen on Shaun White's wrist comes with a vibrant sun-brushed green PVD "step" dial with luminous hour markers and hands and of course that 18k "Moonshine Gold" body & green ceramic bezel. Expect to pay $50,000 at retail for this Omega grail.
Rafael Nadal - Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal
Editor's Notes: Since 2010, Rafael Nadal and Richard Mille's partnership has blessed us some of the most iconic watches in the industry, with their most recent collab being the brand's most technical watches yet. The RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal is a hyper sports watch. This model, excluding its strap, weighs 11.5 grams and can endure a g-force of 14,000, thanks to its futuristic Carbon TPT® B.4 case material.
Aside from its very futuristic aerospace design, the form factor is one of my favorites from RM coming in at a very wearable 37.25mm x 47.25mm case. I could see myself playing tennis in this if it wasn't for the $1.2 million price tag.
Thierry Henry - Patek Philippe Nautilus x Virgil Abloh x MAD Paris
Editor's Notes: I am sorry, but none of you watch purists are going to convince me that this is a bad watch. A Nautilus? In black carbon? Made by the late great Virgil Abloh???? Nah.
Created in collaboration with the magicians over at MAD Paris, this extremely rare (maybe there are only a few of these in the world?) customized Patek Philippe Nautilus is coated in a diamond-like carbon and the process of blacking the watch took more than two months, during which time it was washed, polished, brushed and sandblasted, before the coating itself.
Though a price was never revealed, I wouldn't be surprised to see the cost north of $1,000,000 and that's a conservative estimate.
Steph Curry - Cartier Santos de Cartier Blue PVD
Editor's Notes: Quietly tucked away under the Ralph Lauren sleeves, Steph Curry wears the underrated Santos De Cartier with a PVD blue bezel. The Santos De Cartier is a luxury sports watch that perfectly navigates the role of a performance watch and event staple.
The case's solid weight, sleek modern design, and good water resistance make this Cartier perfect for a weekend adventure in Paris. I also have to mention how I love the Santos De Cartier quick strap system, allowing you to change between a stainless steel, blue rubber, or leather strap within seconds. Expect to drop $8,000 if you want to get your hands on this.
Miles Chamley-Watson - Richard Mille RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph
Editor's Notes: What watch does a fencer wear, who is changing the world of fencing? Obviously, Richard Mille. Aside, from Miles Chamley-Watson being a god-tier athlete, the fencer has a collection of god-tier RMs, including this RM 65-01 in a vibrant yellow case. This version of the timepiece is worth around $380,000 at retail.
President Emmanuel Macron - Merci Paris LMM-01
Editor's Notes: Being that Macron can probably get his hands on just about any watch, I do respect that he showed up to the 2024 Opening Ceremony in this simple field watch from the French independent brand Merci Paris. The $600 mechanical watch is minimalistic and has all the hallmarks of a good field watch. And I love the nato strap.
Anthony Davis - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph
Editor's Notes: A limited edition Offshore is not a bad way to make a statement at the Paris Olympics. Created to celebrate the Royal Oak Offshore's 25th anniversary, this rare $400,000 AP has an 18-carat pink gold case, with a black rubber strap. Though I would usually shy away from the massive 45mm case size, Anthony Davis wears the Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph very well, making it one of my favorite sightings at the Olympics.
Have you seen Audemars Piguet's mini and mighty Royal Oak?
Want to keep browsing or learn more about luxury watches? Download the Highsnobiety app for all the hottest products and brands from the Highsnobiety Shop. Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase.
